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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio women's basketball team (7-16, 4-8 MAC) fell 75-60 in its tough fight against Ball State (22-3, 11-1 MAC) on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Overall, the Bobcats shot 42.4 percent from the field and 25 percent from the three-point arch. The Bobcats went 4-for-1 at the free-throw line. The Bobcats grabbed a total of 28 rebounds with 21 being defensive. Ohio's defense forced 19 turnovers and scored 11 points off them. The Ball State Cardinals went 30-for-38 at the stripe, giving the team a scoring advantage for the game.
Individually, the Bobcats were led by junior Kennedi Watkins (Ballwin, Mo.) with 21 points, four rebounds and two steals. Freshman Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) with 14 points, three assists and three steals. Freshman Monica Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) and senior Peyton Guice (Westerville, Ohio) led defensively for the Bobcats snagging a combined 11 rebounds.
Ohio lost the tip but was determined to keep Ball State off the scoreboard. The Cardinals scored the first layup of the game, but junior Kate Dennis (Rockford, Ill.) came in hot for the Bobcats with back-to-back three-point jumpers. The Bobcats started the game with electric energy on offense and defense, only allowing the Cardinals to score one layup and two free throws in the first five minutes of play. Ohio played an impressive defense forcing turnovers and keeping Ball State off the scoreboard. The Cardinals attempted to use a defensive press throughout the quarter, but the Bobcats navigated around it and continued to thrive offensively. Ohio led 20-9 going into the second quarter.
The Cardinals began the second quarter with possession of the ball and going 2-for-2 at the free throw line, but Waktins quickly responded with a driving layup on the other end. Tabeling extended Ohio's lead with a three-point jumper assisted by Williams. The Bobcats continued to play hard on defense, not allowing the Cardinals to score inside the arc. Ball State could not sink any of its shots, giving Ohio the advantage to snag rebounds and score on the other end. Going into the first media timeout of the quarter, Ohio led by 15 against Ball State. Tabeling added offensively for Ohio with a layup and three-point jumper. The Bobcats began to find themselves in foul trouble in the quarter, giving the Cardinals the shooting bonus from the stripe. Ohio led 40-31 going into the locker room.
Tabeling opened the half sinking a three-point jumper. The Cardinals began to crawl back in the quarter, closing the gap against the Bobcats. Ball State's Madelyn Bishoff became a threat against Ohio's defense scoring eight points and putting Ball State behind Ohio by two points. Ball State went 2-for-2 at the stripe after drawing a foul from Watkins, tying the score with five minutes remaining in the quarter. Ohio gained the lead once again after a three-point jumper from Tabeling and a driving layup off a turnover from Watkins. Ball State and Ohio would score offensively on both sides to keep the score gap close for the remaining two minutes of the game. Foul trouble once again gave the Cardinals the advantage to score from the stripe. Ball State led by three points going into the final ten minutes of play.
Ball State scored first the quarter with a layup off a turnover, but Ohio kept up defensively forcing turnovers. With six minutes remaining in the quarter, Ohio did not score a single basket. The Cardinals gained a lead and challenged the Bobcats' defense. Going into the final media timeout of the game, the Cardinals led by 14 and the Bobcats remained scoreless in the quarter. Watkins broke the scoreless streak for Ohio with a driving layup. Williams added points for Ohio with a layup and a shooting bonus. Ohio would ultimately fall to Ball State 75-60.
The Bobcats will remain in the Convocation Center to take on Kent State on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET and is available to stream on ESPN+.
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